Silky Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe for Cakes & Cupcakes

With more than a decade of experience testing frostings and baking cakes, I’ve refined a salted caramel buttercream that’s reliably smooth, fluffy, and easy to make. The recipe uses room-temperature butter, high-quality jarred caramel sauce, and simple techniques to avoid air bubbles for a bakery-style finish.

This Recipe for Caramel Frosting Is a Must-Have

After years of developing frosting recipes and assembling single- and multi-layer cakes, I finally perfected a salted caramel frosting my readers love. It delivers consistent texture and flavor by starting with softened unsalted butter and using a good-quality jarred caramel sauce for depth.

The method is straightforward and forgiving: whip the butter to incorporate air, fold in caramel and powdered sugar at the right speed, and finish by smoothing out any remaining air bubbles with low-speed mixing or gentle hand-stirring. The result is a silky buttercream perfect for cakes, cupcakes, or brownies.

What Is Buttercream Frosting?

Buttercream is a classic frosting made by creaming butter with powdered sugar until fluffy. It’s the most common frosting for cakes and cupcakes because it pipes well, spreads smoothly, and can be flavored in many ways.

Easy Caramel Frosting Ingredients

• Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• Caramel sauce (high quality jarred)
• Salt
• Powdered sugar
• Milk or heavy cream (as needed)

Salted Caramel Frosting — Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place 1 cup (226 g) room-temperature unsalted butter, 1/3 cup (79 ml) caramel sauce, and 1/4 tsp salt in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium with an electric mixer for about 1 minute until light and fluffy.
2. Add 4–6 cups (454–680 g) powdered sugar and beat on low for 1–2 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed, until the sugar is fully incorporated.
3. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream and beat until smooth and spreadable. For a perfectly smooth finish, mix briefly on low or fold by hand to remove large air bubbles.

What to Pair with Salted Caramel Frosting

• Pumpkin or spiced cakes
• Chocolate or doctored-up chocolate cupcakes
• Apple spice cupcakes
• Classic white or yellow cakes
• Homemade brownies or cookie bars

Caramel Frosting — Tips and Tricks

• Use room-temperature butter so it whips easily and yields a lighter texture.
• Whip the butter well at the start for a fluffy base, but add powdered sugar on low to avoid trapping excess air.
• Choose a jarred caramel sauce in a glass jar rather than a thin squeeze-bottle syrup for a richer flavor and better texture.

Why Do Air Bubbles Form and How Do I Remove Them?

Air bubbles form naturally when whipping buttercream. To minimize them, mix the finished frosting on low speed for a minute or gently fold it by hand. This helps push out trapped air and leaves a smoother surface for piping or spreading.

Storing Caramel Frosting

Store frosting in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate in a sealed container for up to one week. Bring refrigerated frosting to room temperature before using and whip briefly with a mixer to restore its texture.

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Caramel Frosting Recipe (Easy)

By: Beth

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 3 cups

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With more than a decade of experience testing frostings and baking cakes, this salted caramel frosting uses room-temperature butter, quality jarred caramel, and simple techniques to produce a smooth, fluffy result.

Equipment

• Glass mixing bowl
• Stand or hand mixer
• Spatula

Ingredients

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, 2 sticks, room temperature
• 1/3 cup (79 ml) caramel sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt (use table salt in the frosting; optional coarse salt for topping)
• 4–6 cups (454–680 g) powdered sugar
• Dash of milk or heavy cream, if frosting becomes too thick

Instructions

• Place room-temperature unsalted butter, caramel sauce, and salt in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium for 1 minute until whipped and fluffy.
• Add powdered sugar and beat on low for 1–2 minutes, scraping the bowl until fully incorporated.
• If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream and beat until creamy. Spread or pipe onto cakes, cupcakes, or brownies.

Notes

How long does salted caramel frosting keep?

You can store frosting in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week. Bring to room temperature and re-whip briefly before using.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tablespoons |
Calories: 171 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 18 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 11 g |
Sugar: 15 g

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate. Changing ingredients or quantities will alter these estimates.